Among them was Paula Guzzanti Ferrer, who is the first Belfast-based student to complete an M.Litt. degree. Guzzanti Ferrer’s research was titled, ‘Identity, Conflict and Community Arts – Case Study: An Exploration of Community Arts’ Capacity for Peace-Building.’

She is pictured (right) at the commencement ceremony with Trinity Provost John Hegarty, Trinity Chancellor Mary Robinson, and her M.Litt supervisor Gladys Ganiel.

The photo to the left shows Gladys Ganiel with Richard Carson, who completed the M.Phil. in Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies. Carson was the recipient of the James Haire Memorial Prize for best dissertation. Now the Education Director with the international organization A.C.E.T. (AIDS Care Education and Training) Ireland, he spoke about the relevance and benefits of his study and research at ISE, in relation to his current role and career, at the alumni event on 30 June. 

in association with

the Church of Ireland Theological Institute

invites you to a seminar with

Donald Reeves

to discuss the work of the NGO

The Soul of Europe

At the Irish School of Ecumenics, Milltown Park, Dublin 6

Monday 27 June 11am-1pm (coffee from 10.30)

Donald Reeves is Director of the Soul of Europe, which has been working in the Balkans for 10 years. The mission of the Soul of Europe is to help those in post conflict situations realise Nelson Mandela’s words: ‘if you want to make peace do not speak with your friends, you must speak with your enemies.’ The Soul of Europe has been invited by Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs to help normalise relations between 2 Serbian Orthodox Monasteries – Decani and Pec, endangered world heritage sites, with the Kosovo Muslim Albanians.

Donald Reeves is an Anglican priest, formerly the Rector of St James’ Piccadilly. He was awarded the MBE in 2006 for peacebuilding in Bosnia, and in 2010 he was awarded the Tscheblelbi peace Award for fostering good relations between the Abrahamic Faiths. He is a Visiting Fellow at Leeds Metropolitan University in Peace Studies. His latest book is his autobiography – Memoirs of a Very Dangerous Man.

On April 7th, three hundred and eighty five students who engage in extra-curricular voluntary activity were recognised at the inaugural Dean of Students’ Roll of Honour ceremony in the Dining Hall. Click here for further information on the Roll of Honour, and to read the address made at the ceremony by Dr Martin McAleese.

Sr Nyadombo’s range of voluntary activity is vast. She is involved in Student2Student Counselling, which helps fellow student to discuss issues on academic life, social problems, economical issues which might be a hindrance to their performance in college and also which can endanger life.  It is open to any student in college to have access to those who went through the training to seek for assistance.  She says:

The process has helped me personally to acquire different skills ranging from being able to listen to the story and skills tackling a difficult situation and to refer it to  higher authority.  We work in association with the Counselling Office.  All difficult issues will be referred to them they are always in support of what we will be doing.

Sr Nyadombo also works with CONCERN fund raising programmes such as selling raffles and work for the homeless, education, women and children especially orphaned children and HIV/AIDS sufferers. The organisation helps with  food for the poor and advocating  to reach out to the people in Africa. Further, she has been involved in the Religious organisation APT working for advocating for Human Trafficking in Ireland. She participates in activities and events  to bring awareness.

Finally, Sr Nyadombo is engaged with the Carmelite NGO  Coordinating Team. In 2010 September she was appointed to be a Coordinator  for the African Region.  This NGO is connected to the United Nations work on justice and peace and respect for integrity of creation. This work involves gathering information on the work of the Carmelite Family is doing in Africa and writing articles. She has organised groups to observe the Human Rights in December,  and in June praying about Climate Change and the importance of water.   This year the focus has been on Mother Earth. The main focus is working for justice and peace and respect for life and dignity for every  human persons.

For more information about volunteering in TCD, visit the Civic Engagement homepage.

This year we are delighted that we will be joined by Richard Carson, (Ecumenical Studies Programme 2008-2010) and recipient of the James Haire Memorial Prize for best dissertation. Richard, who is the Education Director with the international organization A.C.E.T. (AIDS Care Education and Training) Ireland, will briefly speak about the relevance and benefits of his study and research at ISE, in relation to his current role and career.

R.S.V.P. by Thursday 23 June, to Christine Houlahan at ecumsec@tcd.ie, Mary Priestman at peacesec@tcd.ie, or Caroline Clarke at reconsec@tcd.ie to confirm if you and your guests are available to attend. Alternatively please telephone: Christine Houlahan and Mary Priestman, who are based in Dublin at: +353.1.2601144, Ext, 111 or Ext. 113 respectively, or Caroline Clarke who is based in Belfast at: +44 (0) 28. 90770087 or 048.90770087 (from the Republic of Ireland).

The annual event was initiated by Healing Through Remembering to acknowledge the deep hurt and pain caused by the conflict in and about Northern Ireland, to reflect on our own attitudes, on what more we might have done or might still do, and to make a personal commitment that such loss should never be allowed to happen again. It provides a voluntary opportunity for everyone in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and further afield to reflect upon the conflict in and about Northern Ireland and the future that is before us.

People may also mark the day by visiting Healing Through Remembering’s own event, a reflective opportunity at The Linen Hall Library in the city centre between 10:30 and 2:00pm. There will be a space for reflection and an exhibition, as well as occasional guest readings and song.  Tea and coffee will be available.

Classes take place in the Arts Building, and are free of charge for TCD postgraduates who are eligible to register in the 2011/12 academic year (new and continuing postgraduates).

International postgraduate students who wish to participate in this English course should contact their TCD academic supervisor/Course Director/Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate), and ask to be nominated for the pre-sessional programme via email. For more information, and to send nominations, email the programme’s student coordinator, Deirdre Murphy, murphyd3@tcd.ie, or the CLCS Language Modules Coordinator, Dr Lorna Carson carsonle@tcd.ie.

The Chair of the Church of Ireland’s Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue, Bishop Richard Clarke, last week paid tribute to the late Fr Michael Hurley SJ, who died on 15th April.

He told the Gazette that Fr Hurley’s earthly life had been “both pivotal and formative in the development of the modern ecumenical movement in Ireland” and continued: “Even before the Second Vatican Council opened windows not only on the Roman Catholic Church but on the ecumenical venture in every aspect of its work and in every place, Michael Hurley was an enthusiastic and doughty proponent of the task of bringing Christians of different traditions to a greater understanding of one another and of furthering the work of Christian unity.”

Bishop Clarke said that the Irish School of Ecumenics owed “not only its existence but also its flowering to Michael’s vision, energy and sturdy refusal to be either deflected or browbeaten by opposition or apathy” and concluded: “We owe him a great deal, as one who may reasonably be hailed as the doyen of modern Irish ecumenism. We thank God for Michael’s earthly life and now commend him with our gratitude and love to the Lord he served so well in this life.”

THE ECUMENICAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION

PAUL AVIS

University of Exeter

Wednesday 4^th May 2011 at 7.30pm

J.M. Synge Theatre, Arts Building

Trinity College Dublin

Paul Avis is the General Secretary of the Church of England’s Council for Christian Unity, Canon Theologian of Exeter, Honorary Professor of Theology in the University of Exeter, a Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II, and Editor of Ecclesiology. He is the author of a number of significant studies, including Anglicanism and the Christian Church (Revised and expanded edition, 2002), God and the Creative Imagination (1999), and Reshaping Ecumenical Theology (2010).

Presented By

The Church of Ireland Theological Institute

Dublin Council of Churches

IRCHSS

Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin